Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.
Today my integrity was called into question. I will admit that I am a far from perfect person.... I have my faults and vices.... but I've always believed that people could see by my actions, what kind of person I am.
I wont give this person the lime light of this story, other than to say it's PTA related and I've had issues with this person before. That and the direct quote "Cathie, You've met your match".... oh and also this whole conversation erupted over T-shirts (OK that's enough of the back story for this to kind of make sense)
I was FURIOUS at first.... those of you that know me well, know that when I get really ticked off.... I erupt into a litany of curse words that would make a sailor blush! I could not believe the nerve.... the gall..... who does this person think they are.... BUT luckily I have surrounded myself with level headed people that are able to reel me back in before I loose my stuff completely! But the expression "You've met your match" has been haunting me most of the night. But just a few minutes ago I had an epiphany.... That theory is flawed because for me to have met my match, I'd have to be playing the same game!
The thing is... I love my kids school! I love the teachers there, honestly care about those kids. I've spent HOURS and HOURS of my life volunteering, I've lifted, lugged, organized, called, written letters, begged for donations, begged for volunteers, laughed, cried, washed cars, cooked, driven across town, lost sleep, hugged, I've brought dinner when a teacher had a baby, I brought dinner when one lost her sister, hauled rocks through the forest..... all in the name of the PTA and for the people at Westgate. I don't do it because I think I'm better than anyone else, I don't want people to pat me on the back, or give me a gold star.... I do it because that is the kind of person I am! I do it for me, because of how it makes me feel.... to know I'm doing my part.
I was so angry about this whole situation, ready to rumble and then I spent the night with my family. I got to take my kids Halloween costume shopping, and eat out for dinner and sit at a table and listen to my kids talk. I got to laugh with my husband, and it all just clicked.... my integrity is my amazing kids... my integrity is the marriage I have with my husband....its in the friendships I share with the people I surround myself with.
You can't question that...so....
So it's been almost 8 weeks since I started classes at ODU. It's been awesome! I love the classes I'm taking even if some of them are harder than I thought they'd be. Philosophy at 8am on a Saturday morning is brutal, but I also get to spend 2 mornings a week in a classroom of 2nd & 3rd graders. So it balances out nicely! Now as you might imagine more time on school stuff means less time for EVERYTHING else! I have kids crying at bed time because they want me to read them the book. I've enlisted Alex into helping cook dinner 1 night a week, I've even created a chore chart of stuff that needs to get done every day. While I'd like to say it's my suberb organization skills and super Mom abilities that have made this all possible. BUT I know the truth... It's all THEO!!!